Sunday, June 19, 2011

River Arts District Studio Stroll June 2011

It seems like I did more posts in the winter than I am doing now that the nice weather has arrived. It could be that I am busy doing things and visiting places to use for my posts. Between that, work, caring for my rescued cats and doing the blogs, I have even less time to get online. Please forgive me for not getting back to all of you who visit - I am slowly working my way through.

Last weekend was the River Arts District Studio Stroll in Asheville. Over 100 artists have studios in this old industrial warehouse area down by the river and train tracks. Every June and November they host a weekend open house where you can stop by to see them at work, buy art and enjoy the atmosphere. It covers a rather large area so I decided to visit studios I did not make it to last year.

I will do a two-part feature on the stroll beginning with the Pink Dog Creative studios along with a restaurant I discovered in the complex. Brad Stroman is the husband of a friend of mine and I was eager to see the new studio he had moved into.

Unlike some of the older buildings, it is bright and spacious with lots of great light. Located on Depot Street, it is a bit away fromt he center of the arts district but worth the walk. Opened recently, the building originally housed textile manufacturers and warehouse.

Brad explains that his paintings "reflect the intimate and fragile relationship between man and nature." Using the Zen Buddhist concept of Wabi-sabi he shows how that all things are impermanent, incomplete and imperfect.. An explanation of wabi-sabi is below. His work is delicate yet colorful and is in galleries all over the country. For more information on his work, please visit his website here.

Just down the street from the Pink Dog is a relatively new restaurant that I had not been to before called The Magnetic Field. Don't you love the name? They offer a cafe, bar with bands and dancing and live professional theater.

The menu was eclectic and the food superb. The food is mostly local meats, cheeses, produce and beers. We coud not decide so ordered several plates to share - quiche, arugula salad and crab cakes.

The decor is modern with lots of dining areas indoors and outside. I will have to come back to try the theater - the offerings looked to be quite interesting! They have a great website here.

What a hub of creativity!! How lovely!! Yay for Mr Stroman and the philosophy imbedded in his art! His paintings are so delicate. I can see the fragility and the impermanence - oh but they are beautiful!

Great that you had such a lovely meal after too!!! Wonderful!! What a fun day, thanks for sharing, take carex

Loved the stroll and especially the restaurant. Linda and I like trying new restaurants and experimenting with things we have not eaten before. I have stroll on my blog today as well. Glad to see you back.

Woman in the scarlet coat,Are you heading for a boat?Or perhaps you need a busTo get far away from us.Whether wheels or sails you takeDon’t forget the chocolate cakeTo sustain you on your way;Red-clad damsel, now we say,“Go with grace, enjoy the ride,See you on the other side!”

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The Appalachian Mountains are the oldest mountains in the world and an area of diverse natural beauty as well as home to unique people and places. In the 10 years we have lived here, we have made an effort to explore every nook and cranny of the area and we are still in the process. This is a nature lover's view to life in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina -- hiking, birds, wildlife, natural places to visit as well as eclectic healthy restaurants and unusual places to shop.